Chicago police officer assigned $1.5M bond in Laquan McDonald case

Thirty-seven-year-old Chicago, Illinois police officer Jason Van Dyke, who was charged on Tuesday, November 24 with first degree murder in relation to the killing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald on Oct. 20, 2014, was assigned a bond of $1.5 million on Monday, November 30.

Local authorities released dash cam video footage showing McDonald walking along a Chicago street on the southwest side of the city and Van Dyke repeatedly shooting him. McDonald was reportedly carrying a small knife with him at the time of the shooting, and blood tests taken during the autopsy have revealed traces of PCP in his system, suggestions he was high at the time.

Dan Herbert, Van Dyke’s legal counsel, said the set bond is being taken as a good sign, considering that the judge ordered Van Dyke held without bail just last week. The newest development comes after Herbert argued that his client is not a flight risk.

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